Michael's acting career began in 1993 when he was cast as Juh in TNT's Geronimo, which led to numerous television appearances, including guest starring performances in Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Walker, Texas Ranger, Numb3rs, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Millennium, and in 1998 starred in Stolen Women, Captured Hearts, with Janine Turner and Patrick Bergen. He is featured in the mini-series Klondike, Dreamkeeper, Rough Riders, Big Bear, and True Women. His films include: Dance Me Outside, Smoke Signals, Sunshine State, Skipped Parts, Skinwalkers ( based on the book by Tony Hillerman), and Woman Walks Ahead.
He completed his master's degree in Fine Arts at the School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University and graduated in May 2003. He is a graduate of The National Ballet School in 1984, he went on to apprentice with The National Ballet of Canada before joining the company as a Corps de Ballet member in 1987. After three years, he moved to New York City to join the company of Choreographer Eliot Feld. Michael performed in many of Mr. Feld's seminal works including Intermezzo, Skara Brae, and The Jig is Up. He performed in roles created for him in such ballets as Common Ground and Bloom's Wake.
He continues to perform regularly. His more recent works include The New World directed by Terence Malick, Tecumseh's Vision a PBS Documentary/ Live Action drama created for PBS, Passchendaele which opened the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, Untitled #1535 a site-specific dance work he choreographed for Dusk Dances, Triptych (a short film broadcast nationally on Bravo! Television), and The Journey (Pimooteewin), an opera work he directed with music by Melissa Hui and libretto by Tomson Highway. He also did the voice of Tommy in the action game Prey and recently played a recurring role on Fear The Walking Dead.
In 2010, Michael founded Signal Theatre, a company that explores intercultural and transdisciplinary live performance. As Artistic Director and Choreographer, he has overseen the creation of three major works, including From thine eyes (Harbourfront Centre), Nôhkom (The Banff Centre), and A Soldier's Tale (Fleck Dance Theatre) a work examining the aftermath of war upon Soldiers and their families. A Soldier's Tale was co-produced by The National Arts Centre and The Canada Dance Festival and opened the 2014 Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa at the NAC Theatre.
Signal Theatre has also produced installations and performance art works, such as Winter Home which premiered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and will be seen at the 2015 Prismatic Festival in Halifax. Michael is an Associate Professor of Theatre at York University and is married to wife Nancy, and has two daughters, Eva and Lilia.
